Permit applicants are required to complete the Recycling Plan Form. Once completed, a Recycling Plan PDF will be emailed to both the applicant and the permit technicians. Applicants must upload the Recycling Plan PDF into the SLO City Permit Portal as part of their permit submittal or resubmittal.

The plan will then be routed internally to the Utilities Department for approval.

• Communicate the Recycling Plan clearly with your contracted waste hauler and all subcontractors to ensure compliance with diversion requirements.

• Self-haul option: You may self-haul materials to any facility of your choice. However, it is the permit applicant’s responsibility to verify that the selected facility can support the Recycling Plan and meet all City of San Luis Obispo and CALGreen diversion standards.

• Self-hauling to a Landfill:
  • Inform the weigh station that the load is for recycling, not disposal. Landfill disposal of C&D material may result in a non-compliance fine. 
  • Accurately report the "origin" of the waste. Weight tickets with an origin outside of the City of San Luis Obispo will not be accepted and may result in a non-compliance fine. 

Are you tearing out old carpet? Recycle it! Recycled carpet material can be turned into useful new products and reduces landfill waste in our community. The California Carpet Stewardship Program can help you recycle old carpet at Cold Canyon Landfill, our local drop-off site – learn more about how at CarpetRecovery.org/CA.

Deconstruction is the careful dismantling of buildings to preserve materials for reuse, offering a more sustainable alternative to demolition. Items like wood beams, doors, cabinets, fixtures, and windows can often be removed intact and reused in their original form. This process reduces landfill waste, conserves resources, and supports local reuse centers.

Local Options for Salvaged Building Materials for Reuse:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Surplus and gently used building materials. Tax deductible. Donation hours are subject to change based on ReStore staff availability current inventory needs. Please call ahead for more information. NEW Locations:
  
  
  • 2790 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo, CA | (805) 546-8699 Donation | Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday & Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  
  
  • 844 9th Street, Paso Robles, CA | (805) 434-0486 | Donations to the Paso Robles ReStore are accepted BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
  
  
• Vintage Shedworks (previously "A Place to Grow): Wood, doors and windows in good condition. Reclaimed for outdoor projects.
  Email a photo to info@vintageshedworks.com.

• JackRabbit Salvage Marketplace does not physically receive materials. Instead, they facilitate the distribution of recyclable and reusable materials while providing verified waste diversion documentation to support municipal mandates and LEED certification goals.

Permit applicants receive their final permit checklist from the Community Development Department at the end of the project. A Recycle Report from a certified roll-off company, or all self-haul weight tickets, and/or photos of salvaged items should be submitted to RecycleRight@slocity.org to ensure 65% diversion and for approval.

Once approved, the applicant will be granted their permit final or Certificate of Occupancy.

If not approved, a non-compliance fine totaling 2% of the total project valuation will be due and processed by the Finance Department in order to receive permit final.